Lara Horn has always had a life immersed in horses and racing. Having previously worked in racing yards and after studying a History of Art degree at Oxford Brookes University, she is now Head of Syndicate Operations at Old Gold Racing.
Even though Lara doesn’t ride out regularly anymore, she is still at home on the gallops, getting her own ex-racehorse, Braq (Braqueur D’Or), fit for team chasing and hunt races. ‘Braq is very much part of the family but he’s also a brilliant around those courses… I absolutely adore him,’ Lara said fondly. ‘To be honest, I’m not sure he knows he’s retired - we did the Silver Spur this year and I struggled to hold him, so I know he’s loving it as much as I am!’ When asked if they’d be up for the Golden Button Hunt Race, Lara said she’d consider it but would have to be feeling pretty brave.
Born and raised in Shropshire, Lara, 27, now splits her time between Battersea, London and the Cotswolds. Her boyfriend, Joe Knox, is one of the managerial staff at Dan Skelton Racing, and together they own a saluki-whippet-cross called Sybil.
Did you have a horsey childhood? Yes, very – I think I was riding before I could walk.
My sister, Alicia, and I were always bombing around at home on our ponies. We were mad into our hunting and did Pony Club and things like that. Our father was a bit of a saint taking us all over the place and we didn’t make it easy for him, often forgetting key bits of tack or our riding hats.
How did you get into racing? My late mother, Camilla Horn (née Russell), was very involved in Flat racing, so you could say it is in the blood and I love that I’ve ended up following in her footsteps.
I started riding out for Paul Webber from University and was soon doing more of that than I was attending lectures – it’s a miracle I got a degree. There was no looking back from there really…
What trainers have you worked for and in which roles? I worked as a freelance work rider for a few years and learnt a lot along the way. I have ridden out for Paul Webber, Christy Woods (breaking and pre-training), Richard Hobson and Dan Skelton, among others.
Have you been a jockey? I’ve never ridden in a race, although, I was due to ride in the Greatwood Charity Race the year covid hit. It may still be on the cards at some point, but I would need to be a lot fitter that’s for sure!
How did you get your current role for Old Gold Racing? During my time riding out for Paul, one of my regular lots was a very special horse called Braqueur D’Or. He was owned by Ed Seyfried, the CEO of Old Gold Racing. We got chatting one morning and I loved the sound of everything they were doing and had planned for the future. The rest is history really – Braq retired shortly after I got the job and came to live with me, so it was a very good couple of months for me indeed!
I have been at OGR from the early days, so my job has and still does involve all sorts of things, but I mostly look after anything directly related to our horses, pre-syndication all the way through to the end of their time under our ownership. I also oversee client communications and ensure an efficient flow of information between the yards, owners and other relevant parties.
What do you love about OGR as a racing partnership? I love that we’re making racehorse ownership available to so many people that may never have considered it possible before. Watching our owners cheer their horse on and seeing the joy it brings them when the horse comes home a winner is something else.
I feel very connected to all of our horses and being a part of their journeys is what it’s all about for me.
Favourite racehorse: I think it would have to be Henry Cecil’s swan song, Frankel. My mother knew Henry well years ago and even used to ride out at Warren Place. My father tells us stories of going up on the Heath and watching the string with him, and my grandparents would often show us photographs, so we always supported his horses as a family.
Favourite racecourse: Aside from the obvious ones, I actually think Windsor is a really lovely racecourse and I’m looking forward to seeing Jumps racing return there too.
Lara team chasing on Braq and their support team in Joe and Sybil
Favourite meeting: Quite typical I’m afraid – The Cheltenham Festival and Royal Ascot.
Generally, what in racing could be improved? Principally, prize money.
I also believe more could be done in terms of content and media. I feel there is room to be much more creative - there are so many opportunities and stories to be told in this sport. That said, more seems to be being done in this regard, so hopefully it will continue on and help racing garner the support it needs.
I do think racing often finds itself on the backfoot with certain matters, some more serious than others. There is definitely a case for saying the industry could do with getting ahead of potential issues to ensure that it doesn’t find itself in a position of ‘too little, too late’, as it has done in the past.
What do you love about racing? The thunder of hooves on a racecourse gives you a feeling like no other – I’m not sure it can really be put into words.
These animals are truly amazing and watching them do what they are bred for and trained to do is unlike anything else for me. A lot of hard work goes in behind the scenes (and often at pretty unfavourable hours!) and so when it all comes together, it’s pretty special to watch.
What are your hopes and dreams for the future? Eek… I seem to change my mind on this all the time. I like to make sure I keep as many doors open as I can, as you never quite know what the future holds but I do know that whatever path I go down in the future, horses will be involved.
What is your best piece of advice? My father is without doubt the most intelligent person I know and although we don’t agree on everything, I would always turn to him first for advice. The one that comes to mind now is ‘sleep on it’ – it’s amazing what a night can do for one’s perspective and I think it’s so important not to rush into things.
Do you still ride out anywhere? Very rarely, due to lack of time more than anything else but if I do ever have any time, it would be for Dan Skelton, who Joe works for.
Favourite meal/food: Depends on my mood!
Favourite drink: Tea - Earl Grey or Lapsang.
Favourite snack: Chocolate.
Favourite movie: I love so many films but can go back to a Richard Curtis time and time again. Four Weddings and a Funeral is a family favourite at Christmas.
Favourite holiday destination: Andros, Greece – a very close friend of mine’s family have a house on the island and I have been lucky enough to stay there the last few summers. It’s a very happy place!
Favourite music: Couldn’t say but I love Blondie, The Rolling Stones and currently, Johnny Flynn.
Favourite book: Another tough one, but probably Rebecca by Daphne du Maurier.
Other hobbies/interests: Anything with my friends, family and animals… preferably all together!
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